Samsung Outs 4.7-inch Metal-Frame Galaxy Alpha

Samsung today took the wraps off the Galaxy Alpha, a 4.7-inch smartphone that eschews the OEM’s propensity toward plastic in favor of a metal-framed design.

The Alpha’s 6.7 millimeter-thick body and 115 gram heft bring it in well under the size and weight of Samsung’s current flagship, the Galaxy S5. Of course the Alpha’s display is smaller than the S5’s 5.1-inch screen.

The Alpha is scheduled for release in September but pricing details have not been revealed yet. When it shows up, the Alpha will be wearing a 720p display, an octo- or quad-core processor (dependent on region) and an 1860 mAh battery. The smartphone will place a 12MP camera on the back and a 2.1MP camera on the front. The Alpha will support LTE Cat. 6 and dual-band Wi-Fi.

The Alpha’s smaller display represents a reverse in trend for Samsung, which has dominated the market for larger-screen smartphones and phablets. That big lead could be in jeopardy as Apple is reportedly preparing a pair of larger iPhones.

Samsung is planning to release its anticipated phablet, the Galaxy Note 4, in September but a series of downgrades and credit rating dings indicates analysts are skeptical that Samsung will be able to maintain its overwhelming lead.

A Want China Times report, citing a Trendforce report, said Apple’s launch will eat into Samsung’s market share and added it’s doubtful that Samsung will meet its goal of shipping 350 million handsets in 2014.